Silicosis definition of silicosis by the free dictionary. Silicosis prognosis and treatment often depend on how far the condition has progressed, as well as whether the condition has led to the development of any additional health concerns. Silicosis centers for disease control and prevention. It is the oldest known occupational lung disease, and is caused by exposure to inhaled particles of silica, mostly from quartz in. Exposure to coal mine dust andor crystalline silica results in pneumoconiosis with initiation and progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Silicosis is marked by the formation of lumps nodules and fibrous scar tissue in the lungs. Browse our dictionary apps today and ensure you are never again lost for. Definition silicosis is a progressive disease that belongs to a group of lung disorders called pneumoconioses.
Silicosis definition is pneumoconiosis characterized by massive fibrosis of the lungs resulting in shortness of breath and caused by prolonged inhalation of silica dusts. And best of all its ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the cambridge dictionary editors or of cambridge university press or its licensors. Silica is a highly common, crystallike mineral found in sand, rock, and quartz. Add the power of cambridge dictionary to your website using our free search box widgets. Silicosis definition of silicosis by merriamwebster. Silicosis definition, a disease of the lungs caused by the inhaling of siliceous particles, as by stonecutters. Greenberg, md, mph, javier waksman, md, and john curtis, md introduction silicosis is a potentially fatal, irreversible. These examples are from the cambridge english corpus and from sources on the web. Because there is no effective treatment for silicosis, prevention through exposure control is essential.
It is marked by inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. Silicosis particularly the acute form is characterized by shortness of breath, cough, fever, and cyanosis bluish skin. Silicosis article about silicosis by the free dictionary. A disease of the lungs caused by continued inhalation of the dust of siliceous minerals and characterized by progressive fibrosis and a chronic shortness. Silicosis definition of silicosis by medical dictionary.
Silicosis is a condition caused by inhaling too much silica over a long period of time. A form of lung disease resulting from occupational exposure to silica dust over a period of years. Romtrasforming growth factorbeta tgfbeta in silicosis. Silicosis definition and meaning collins english dictionary. From 1991 to 1995, china reported more than 24,000 deaths due to silicosis each year. Number of deaths, crude and ageadjusted death rates, u. Over time, lung capacity decreases, and people with silicosis may need support with oxygen and. Linking to a nonfederal website does not constitute an endorsement by cdc or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Dec 11, 2018 silicosis can progress even after a person is no longer exposed to the dust, causing severe shortness of breath years later. In most circumstances, silicosis only develops subsequent to. Silicosis is the most common occupational lung disease worldwide. It occurs everywhere, but is especially common in developing countries. Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust.
The osha final rule reduces the permissible exposure limit pel for respirable crystalline silica rcs to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, matching the niosh rel. The more years of exposure to dust, the greater the risk of the disease. Silicosis definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the cdc website the centers for disease control and prevention cdc cannot attest to the accuracy of a nonfederal website.
Silicosis is a form of pneumoconiosis, meaning that it is a respiratory disease caused by inhaling particles of. Silicosis causes slowly progressive fibrosis of the lungs, impairment of lung function and a tendency to tuberculosis of the lungs crystalline silica of respirable size is primarily quartz dust occurring in industrial and occupational settings in the form of fine, breathable particles. Free silica is dispersed in the air and inhaled by workers engaged in the mining of lead, hard coal, and gold, in cutting sandstone and granite, in sandblasting, and in the manufacture of silica abrasives. Years of potential life lost to age 65 and to life expectancy by race and sex, u. Silicosis resulted in 46,000 deaths in 20 down from 55,000 deaths in 1990.
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